Collapsible spout for cans



July 24, 1923.

' R- K. HALL COLLAPSIBLEI SFOUT FOR CANS Filed Jan. 23, 1923 Patented July 24, 1923.

UNITED, STATES; PATENT erms. it

ROBERT KEITH Hahn, or nnnvnajcononano;

. COLLAPSIBLE sron'r' roe cans.

Application filed J'anuary 23, 1923. Serial No. 61 2.402.

pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,

and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to cans and has specific reference to a collapsible spout that can be combined therewith.

It is customary at present to dispense as many things as possible in sealed containers, and among others may be mentioned condensed milk, olive oil, syrup, etc. Referring particularly to the condensed milk and allied products, which are extensively used throughout this country and the world, it is customary to puncture the top of the can on opposite sides of the center, one opening serving to permit the milk to flow out and the other opening serving as an air vent to permit the air to enter as the liquid contents flows out. It is well known to all who have used condensed milk that the above method of emptying the can is open to the objection that milk will flow down the sides of the can and present an untidy and insanitary appearance which is highly objectionable, where the can is used for pouring milk directly into the coffee, as is oftentimes done.

It is evident that a spout in close proximity to the pouring hole would be a great convenience, as it would prevent milk from flowing over the top and down the sides of the can. Attempts to provide cans of the type with spouts have failed because a spout such as is commonly used would have to project upwardly from the top of the can and this would prevent the cans from being adapted to be closely packed in boxes for shipping.

It is the object of this invention to produce a collapsible spout that can be folded against the top of the can during shipment and which can be easily unfolded into operative position when the can is to be used.

1.. order to aesaaejlm invention wail.

greater clearness, I shall have reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a can provided with my collapsible spout which is shown in folded or inoperative position.

Fig. 2 shows a view similar to that in Fig.- 1, but showing the spout in unfolded or operative position.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the can shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the spout in folded position; and

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 55, Fig. 4.

The same reference numbers will be used to indicate the same parts throughout the several views.

Numeral 1 designates a can of ordinary construction whose top is designated by the numeral 2. Cans of this type are usually so constructed that the top of the sides extend a short distance above the plane of the top, thus forming an upwardly projecting flange 3. My improved spout 4 is formed by means of dies, or otherwise from thin flexible material such as lead or tin-foil, or any other suitable material that will. bend without breaking. The spout is preferably made in the shape shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and has two sides 5 and 6 and a bottom 7. The bottom member is not entirely essential, as the lower edges of sides 5 and 6 can be soldered directly to the top 2. It is preferable, however, to have the spout made as shown, as it can be more readily secured to the can top. After the spout has been soldered in place on the can top in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, it is folded by bending inwardly and downwardly the side 5 and then bending the side 6 over and downwardly in the manner shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5. The spout when in collapsed position is of less thickness than the height of the flange 8 and therefore does not interfere with the stacking of the cans on a counter or in a box.

en the contents of the can is to be used, the cook merely takes a sharpened instrument such as a fork tine or a nail and lifts up sides 6, after which side 5 is unfolded.

The spout is then smoothened into the shape shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Two holes 8 and 9 are then punched on opposite sides in the manner shown. Hole 9 is preferably punched near the inner corner of the spout. It is now evident that the contents of the can may be poured out throughthe hole 9 and that it will have to flow over the spout.

Although I have described my invention in connection with a condensed milk can, it is evident that it can be used with any liquid and also with cans containing salt or other freely flowing material. Instead of using metal, my spout may be made of paper or ClQlJh, especially when the contents of the can isin powdered, form.

Having now described my invention, what I claim is:

A can having a flat end wall,; a .spout of thin flexible material consisting of a triangular shaped base member secured to said fiat wall, said base member being bounded on two sides by a continuous upstanding wall,

said side walls being capable of being folded 20f flat upon said basemember.

Intestimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ROBERT KEITH HALL. 

